By Andrew Sandeen
Join in the discussion about current and important topics with esteemed industry researchers and leaders at the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council's annual meeting in Pittsburgh this November.
Is Pittsburgh a manageable distance away from you? If so, and you are a dairy producer, veterinarian, or other allied industry professional with an interest in reproductive management of dairy cattle, this may be your year to spend a day or two at the annual meeting of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC).
The 2019 DCRC Annual Meeting is going to be held at the Pittsburgh Marriott (City Center) on November 13th and 14th. An esteemed group of 20+ presenters will share current research findings and strategies for breeding success.
The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, which has been in existence for about 14 years, is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry - producers, consultants, academia, and allied industry professionals - for improving reproductive performance. There are typically about 250 people at the annual meeting, creating a great atmosphere for learning and sharing ideas.
An impressive program has been put together for 2019. Dr. Victor Cabrera (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Dr. Albert De Vries (University of Florida) will dig into economics, including a look at the sustainability of using beef sires in dairy herds. Multiple researchers will address heifer management. Dr. Luis Mendonca (Kansas State University) will speak about maximizing fertility while minimizing timed AI use. Dan McFarland (Penn State Extension) will present about facility impacts on cow comfort and profitability. Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam (University of California, Davis) will share her expertise on gene editing and how it might be used in dairy breeding programs. These are just a few highlights; there will be much more.
An annual DCRC highlight is a roundtable discussion moderated by Corey Geiger (Hoard's Dairyman) with representatives from herds winning the DCRC Reproduction Awards. Everyone is able to learn from the producers, veterinarians, and AI industry professionals who have found their way to successful reproductive management.